Salafist leader forms new political alliance

Salafist leader and former chairman of al-Nour Party Emad Abdel Ghafour has announced the formation of his new al-Watan Party. At a press conference in Cairo on Tuesday, Ghafour was joined by controversial Islamist figure Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, with the duo confirming reports of an alliance. Speaking at the event, Abdel Gafour said, "many people chant slogans and speak about social justice, human dignity and the Islamic Sharia, but no one works towards achieving them." The al-Watan Party, he added, "will aim to build a political entity that can feel the heartbeat of the poor and the deprived, for the good of the homeland, and to put our hands in the hands of all the children of our homeland to that end." Speaking on the first day of the new year, the former head of the Salafist al-Nour Party raised hope that the new party would be a positive addition to Egyptian politics, "for the economic renaissance and social reform." On the controversial manner of his departure from his previous party, Abdel Ghafour asserted the need to "turn a new page," asking attendees at the press conference not to question him about the reasons behind his resignation. The press conference was attended by a number of renowned Salafist leaders.